Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
EMERGING technologies are Zimbabwe’s passport to leapfrogging decades of underdevelopment, NetOne chief executive Engineer Raphael Mushanawani has said.
Speaking last week after clinching the Achievers Award for Outstanding Excellence in Smart Technologies and Enhanced Broadband Services at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards held in Harare, Eng Mushanawani said with bold policy, visionary leadership and partnerships with innovators like NetOne, Zimbabwe can leap into the future without waiting to catch up.
“Emerging technologies are Zimbabwe’s passport to leapfrogging decades of underdevelopment. Imagine AI-powered precision agriculture boosting yields for smallholder farmers, telemedicine bridging rural health gaps and e-learning platforms delivering world-class education to every child, regardless of location,” he said.
Eng Mushanawani said the country surpassed US$23 billion target in the mining sector in 2023, indicating that more could be achieved if new technologies are harnessed.
“Zimbabwe surpassed the US$23 billion mining sector economy target in 2023, imagine what more we could do when we innovate towards e-mining? Just imagine! This is the path that NetOne is determined to walk in delivering Vision 2030 before 2030.
“Currently, the African diaspora remittance is estimated at over US$95 billion annually, surpassing foreign aid and foreign direct investment. We have identified this opportunity and we are advancing innovations to globalise our mobile money platforms and introducing fresher e-wallet innovations that meet international competitiveness. So, you must be ready to experience this financial inclusivity innovation before the coming year ends,” he said.
Eng Mushanawani said NetOne is the invisible hand powering the digital economy.
“Every mobile transaction, every remote classroom, every connected health facility, every modern farm, they all carry the footprint of NetOne. We are not spectators in Zimbabwe’s growth story; we are co-authors, ensuring that growth is digital, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
Eng Mushanawani said his organisation is set to amplify digital inclusivity as the country implements the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) from next year.
